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GrimUpNorth · Today, 09:55

I think everyone's recollection of that period will vary depending on how close they were to the harsh reality of the policies. I'm in Wakefield and the visual reminders are still there to see, both socially and in the built environment. There are the remains of mining communities that are still split and the hurt and resentment (on both sides) still runs deep.

I remember in the early 80's Wakefield was buzzing, people had money in their pockets and a Saturday night in town was a crazy experience. I used to love going to the miners gala in the park - it was something we used to look forward to.

All those days are now gone and while it's not as grim as it once was it's still grim if you know where to look. In 1984 there were 15 pits in the district employing about 20,000 people directly, and probably many more in supporting industries (engineering, haulage etc) and even more in businesses that flourished because of the miners wages (local shops, pubs etc). A community can't loose that many jobs and just carry on as if nothing happened. Apparently, in Wakefield the last figures I've seen show 16% of the population is in the most 10% of deprived areas in the country, and it wasn't like this before the Conservatives decided to destroy what they saw as the disruptive working class. Because of the choices made in Downing Street 40 years ago, one ongoing impact is the thousands of children who don't have a bed for themselves in Wakefield.

So in this part of the world the impact of the Conservative policies are still there for all to see, but I suppose if you didn't live in an area where >90% of the men in the area found themselves out of work then you probably won't understand the lasting impact it had. As a country we should be ashamed of some of our recent history.

Feel free to flame me, but like some of the others I've lived it and many many people round here are still living it.

Today, 09:55	#2818
GrimUpNorth cf.mega poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Up North - Where It's Grim Age: 58 Posts: 2,536	Re: Starmer’s chronicles I think everyone's recollection of that period will vary depending on how close they were to the harsh reality of the policies. I'm in Wakefield and the visual reminders are still there to see, both socially and in the built environment. There are the remains of mining communities that are still split and the hurt and resentment (on both sides) still runs deep. I remember in the early 80's Wakefield was buzzing, people had money in their pockets and a Saturday night in town was a crazy experience. I used to love going to the miners gala in the park - it was something we used to look forward to. All those days are now gone and while it's not as grim as it once was it's still grim if you know where to look. In 1984 there were 15 pits in the district employing about 20,000 people directly, and probably many more in supporting industries (engineering, haulage etc) and even more in businesses that flourished because of the miners wages (local shops, pubs etc). A community can't loose that many jobs and just carry on as if nothing happened. Apparently, in Wakefield the last figures I've seen show 16% of the population is in the most 10% of deprived areas in the country, and it wasn't like this before the Conservatives decided to destroy what they saw as the disruptive working class. Because of the choices made in Downing Street 40 years ago, one ongoing impact is the thousands of children who don't have a bed for themselves in Wakefield. So in this part of the world the impact of the Conservative policies are still there for all to see, but I suppose if you didn't live in an area where >90% of the men in the area found themselves out of work then you probably won't understand the lasting impact it had. As a country we should be ashamed of some of our recent history. Feel free to flame me, but like some of the others I've lived it and many many people round here are still living it.